Recommendation 24

Effective take-up work requires, firstly, face to face support and encouragement from trusted individuals and organisations on the ground. The complexity of the benefits system means that expert welfare rights advice is often also needed. In some areas, local authorities, third sector and community organisations work together effectively to do this. The 85 rewards are significant—increasing the incomes of the poorest pensioners, bringing money into the local economy and reducing demand on health and social care services. However, not all local authorities co-ordinate action to support benefit take-up, often as a result of resourcing challenges. These tend to be the same local authorities who would benefit most from planned engagement activities. (Conclusion, Paragraph 131)